Questions The Top Applicants Should Ask About The Job

When interviewing for a new job, make sure that you make inquiries about these thirteen categories:

1. Impact – Let them know how important it is for you personally to make a positive, meaningful contribution through your work. Ask how your tasks will help others, whether it is improved customer experience, helping to cure a fatal disease or anything in between.

2. Control – Assert yourself and your need to self-govern. How much control are you going to have? What is the level of clearance associated with your position, and what type of budget do you have that doesn’t involve speaking to a superior? Make sure that you understand who and how your schedule is set, particularly when working away from your office.

3. First Day On The Job – Find out what project is likely to land on your desk after orientation. Ask how important the project is, and reasons you should be excited about it. Even many tasks that seem small on the surface can have a significant contribution, so keep an open mind and listen carefully to the reason the tasks matter.

4. Salary Ranking – Does their pay meet or exceed the average for similar companies? Also, you should inquire as to how well your position will pay when compared to others. If it is below the fiftieth percentile mark, you should definitely ask if they are willing to raise it. Of course, you can ask if the numbers are higher. But, you definitely should for figures that fall below average.

5. Performance Assessments – One of the important things that you need to know before accepting any position is how your performance will be evaluated. Make sure that you ask the interviewing manager how this is determined. What criteria must be met for each level of rating, and are you given any feedback along the way regarding exceptionally good or poor performance? Are they willing to provide the steps necessary to bring your work up to par? In some cases, it might even be appropriate to ask for a copy of the performance appraisal form.

6. Where Did My Predecessor Go? – You shouldn’t be embarrassed to ask why the position is vacant. Did the last person get promoted, quit in anger, or something else entirely? Ask what you can do to provide superior services as the new person in that job.

7. Why Is The Job Great? – Sure, salary is a relevant factor, but that alone isn’t enough to keep you motivated to climb out of bed each day. What makes this position worth your interest? Once you have established yourself as a valuable member of the team, are they willing to provide additional challenges and opportunities to keep your mind stimulated, and you performing at your very best? Ask to speak to someone currently serving in this position. Don’t forget to ask about the downsides to the position as well. For instance, being on call every other weekend, including holidays.

8. Promotions – While you shouldn’t sound demanding, you can certainly show interest in how promotions are handed out. After all, there is nothing wrong with showing that you are eager to perform your very best. Do you need to be on the job for a certain length of time? How often are people promoted within their own department, or transferred to new ones? What can you expect based on the department and position that you’re applying for.

9. Turnover Rates – What is the retention rate for folks who do well, and why do those who leave do so.

10. Industry Changes – keeping ahead of industry changes is great. Ask whether they can help you with it. If not keep up to date with this post from IQVIA.

11. Hardware, Software And Other Tools – Ask what is standard issue for your position, as well as how much you have to spend on necessary software and related tech items. Find out if you will need approvals, associated timeframes and anything else relevant to your tech budget.

12. Job Description – The job posting that you see can be inaccurate for many reasons, including because the position has been updated since it was written. Folks that write them often don’t understand the actual duties associated with the positions they are advertising. Ideally, you can get a copy of it before you begin the interview so that you can ask any questions during the exchange.

13. Sales Support – Ask what kind of commissions are offered, and what types of support tools are included with the position?